View source for Note of the German Government to the Vatican regarding then Peace Proposals, December 12, 1916

<p align="right"> [[Main_Page | WWI Document Archive ]] > [[1916 Documents]] > [[Official Communications and Speeches Relating to Peace Proposals 1916-1917]] > '''Note of the German Government to the Vatican regarding the Peace Proposals, December 12, 1916'''</p><hr>

'''Note of the German Government to the Vatican regarding the Peace Proposals, December 12, 1916<sup>1</sup>'''<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to instructions received, I have the honor to send to your <br>
Eminence a copy of the declaration of the Imperial Government to-day, <br>
which, by the good offices of the powers intrusted with the protection <br>
of German interests in the countries with which the German Empire <br>
is in a state of war, transmits to these States, and in which the Imperial <br>
Government declares itself ready to enter into peace negotiations. The <br>
Austro-Hungarian, Turkish, and Bulgarian Governments also have <br>
sent similar notes.<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The reasons which prompted Germany and her allies to take this <br>
step are manifest. For two years and a half a terrible war has been <br>
devastating the European Continent. Unlimited treasures of civiliza- <br>
tion have been destroyed. Extensive areas have been soaked with <br>
blood, Millions of brave soldiers have fallen in battle and millions <br>
have returned home as invalids. Grief and sorrow fill almost every <br>
house. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not only upon the belligerent nations, but also upon neutrals, the <br>
destructive consequences of the gigantic struggle weigh heavily. Trade <br>
and commerce, carefully built up in years of peace, 'have been de- <br>
pressed. The best forces of the nation have been withdrawn from <br>
the production of useful objects. Europe, which formerly was devoted <br>
to the propagation of religion and civilization, which was trying to <br>
find solutions for social problems, and was the home of science and <br>
art and all peaceful labor, now resembles an immense war camp, in <br>
which the achievements and works of many decades are doomed to <br>
annihilation. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Germany is carrying on a war of defence against her enemies, which <br>
aim at her destruction. She fights to assure the integrity of her fron- <br>
tiers and the liberty of the German Nation, for the right which she <br>
claims to develop freely her intellectual and economic energies in peace- <br>
ful competition and on an equal footing with other nations. All the <br>
efforts of their enemies are unable to shatter the heroic armies of the <br>
(Teutonic) allies, which protect the frontiers of their countries, <br>
strengthened by the certainty that the enemy shall never pierce the iron <br>
wall. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Those fighting on the front know that they are supported by the <br>
whole nation, which is inspired by love for its country and is ready <br>
for the greatest sacrifices and determined to defend to the last extremity <br>
the inherited treasure of intellectual and economic work and the social <br>
organization and sacred soil of the country. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Certain of our own strength, but realizing Europe's sad future if <br>
the war continues; seized with pity in the face of the unspeakable <br>
misery of humanity, the German Empire, in accord with her allies, <br>
solemnly repeats what the Chancellor already has declared, a year ago, <br>
that Germany is ready to give peace to the world by setting before the <br>
whole world the question whether or not it is possible to find a basis <br>
for an understanding. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Since the first day of the Pontifical reign his Holiness the Pope has <br>
unswervingly demonstrated, in the most generous fashion, his solicitude<br>
for the innumerable victims of this war. He has alleviated the suffer- <br>
ings and ameliorated the fate of thousands of men injured by this <br>
catastrophe. Inspired by the exalted ideas of his ministry, his Holiness <br>
has seized every opportunity in the interests of humanity to end so <br>
sanguinary a war. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Imperial Government is firmly confident that the iniative of the <br>
four powers will find friendly welcome on the part of his Holiness, <br>
and that the work of peace can count upon the precious support of the <br>
Holy See.<br>

<hr>
<sup>1</sup><i>�The New York Times</i>, December 13, 1916